"Please tell me if you would favor, oppose, or neither favor nor oppose a
law requiring that all Americans with incomes of one million dollars or more
pay at least 30 percent of their income in taxes."

"In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should
be increased on households earning one million dollars a year or more, or
should the government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on
those households?"

"What about upper-income Americans? Do you feel
upper-income people pay more than their fair share in federal income taxes,
less than their fair share, or is the amount they pay about right?"

More than
fair share

Less than
fair share

About right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

1/20-23/12

11

55

24

10

"Federal tax policy now allows capital gains and
dividends to be taxed at a lower rate than income from work. Which comes
closer to your opinion? You approve of the current policy because you think
it encourages investment, which helps the economy and ultimately increases
tax revenues. OR, You think capital gains and dividends should be taxed the
same as income earned from work because the current policy increases the
federal deficit and is unfair to people who don't have money to invest."

"Who do you trust more to make the right decisions
about the nation's economy: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama?"

Republicans
in Congress

Obama

Both (vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

1/12-17/12

40

44

1

9

7

8/2-3/11

33

47

3

14

2

"Who do you trust more to make the right decisions
about the federal budget deficit: the Republicans in Congress or Barack
Obama?"

Republicans
in Congress

Obama

Both (vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

1/12-17/12

42

43

1

9

5

"Who do you trust more to make the right decisions
about creating jobs: the Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama?"

Republicans
in Congress

Obama

Both (vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

1/12-17/12

38

47

1

9

5

1/15-19/11

44

44

1

5

5

"When it comes to dealing with the tough choices
involved both in cutting programs to reduce the budget deficit and still
maintaining needed federal programs, whose approach do you prefer: the
Republicans in Congress or Barack Obama's?"

Republicans
in Congress

Obama

Both (vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

1/12-17/12

38

47

-

7

8

4/15-20/11

42

43

2

7

5

"Who do you think is mostly to blame for most of the current federal
budget deficit: the Bush administration, the Obama administration, Congress,
or someone else?"
Options rotated

"As you may know, last week, the President and Congress passed a
two-month extension on the payroll tax cuts and unemployment benefits.
Looking ahead to the debate on what the government should do as these
extensions expire at the end of February, do you have more confidence in
President Obama and the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in
Congress?"
Options rotated

"Which one of these economic issues should be the higher priority for the
nation right now: the federal budget deficit, unemployment, or taxes?"

Unemployment

Deficit

Taxes

Unsure

%

%

%

%

12/14-18/11

55

29

12

4

"In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should
be increased on households earning one million dollars a year or more, or
should the government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on
those households?"

"In general, how much, if anything, do you think the federal government
can do to create jobs in the United States: a great deal, quite a bit, a
moderate amount, only a little or nothing at all?"

A great deal

Quite a bit

A moderate
amount

Only a little

Nothing
at all

%

%

%

%

%

12/8-12/11

27

15

29

20

9

10/13-17/11

26

16

30

19

9

"As you may know, last year, the federal government passed a law
temporarily reducing Social Security payroll taxes. Congress is currently
considering renewing this tax reduction. Should Congress vote to continue
this payroll tax reduction even though it may increase the federal budget
deficit, or allow this payroll tax reduction to expire even though it would
cause most workers to take home less money in their paychecks?"

Continue
reduction

Allow to
expire

Unsure

Refused

%

%

%

%

12/8-12/11

58

35

7

1

"Do you think it is possible for the federal government to balance its
budget without increasing taxes, or do you think some taxes will have to be
increased?"
Options rotated. 11/10: Co-sponsored by CNBC.

Possible
without
tax increase

Taxes will
have to be
increased

Unsure

%

%

%

12/8-12/11

35

65

1

8/18-22/11

29

69

1

11/18-22/10

33

65

3

"Do you think it is possible for the federal government to balance its
budget without cutting government services, or do you think some government
services will have to be cut?"
Options rotated. 11/10: Co-sponsored by CNBC.

"I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. As I read each pair,
tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to
your own views, even if neither is exactly right. ... Wall Street helps the
American economy more than it hurts. Wall Street hurts the American economy
more than it helps."

Helps more
than hurts

Hurts more
than helps

Unsure

%

%

%

12/7-11/11

36

51

13

3/8-14/11

38

47

15

"I'm going to read you some pairs of statements. As I read each pair,
tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to
your own views, even if neither is exactly right. ... The economic system in
this country unfairly favors the wealthy. The economic system in this
country is generally fair to most Americans."

Favors the
wealthy

Generally
fair

Unsure

%

%

%

12/7-11/11

61

36

3

"Do you think there is too much power in the hands of a few rich people
and large corporations in the United States, or don't you think so?"

"Last year, Congress provided a temporary reduction in the payroll tax
paid by workers on their wages. Unless Congress extends this tax cut soon,
it will expire. Supporters say this tax cut gives people more money to spend
and helps the economy. Opponents say it increases the federal debt without
doing much to help the economy. Do you think Congress should or should NOT
extend the payroll tax cut?"

Should

Should not

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

12/1-4/11

58

32

10

"As you may know, the federal government now helps pay for up to 99 weeks
of unemployment insurance for people who have lost their jobs. Unless
Congress acts to extend these benefits by the end of this year, unemployed
people will receive only 26 weeks of benefits. In your opinion, should
Congress take action to keep unemployment benefits at 99 weeks, limit
unemployment benefits to 26 weeks, OR set a new limit for unemployment
benefits between 26 and 99 weeks?"

"How closely are you following the news about the 12-member 'Supercommittee'
in Congress, created to draft a bipartisan plan to reduce the federal budget
deficit by at least $1trillion: very closely, somewhat closely, not too
closely, or not at all?"

Very
closely

Somewhat
closely

Not too
closely

Not at all

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

11/21/11

20

33

23

23

1

"As you may know, it appears the committee will not reach an agreement on
deficit reduction by its November 23rd deadline. In your view, do you think
the members of the committee should have compromised their beliefs on taxes,
spending, and the debt more in order to get an agreement done, OR, did the
right thing in refusing to reach an agreement that did not reflect their
beliefs on taxes, spending, and the debt?"
Options rotated

Should have
compromised
more

Did the
right thing

Unsure

%

%

%

11/21/11

54

29

17

"Who do you blame more for the inability of the committee to reach an
agreement: the Republicans on the committee, the Democrats on the committee,
or both equally?"

The
Republicans

The
Democrats

Both
equally

Unsure

%

%

%

%

11/21/11

24

15

55

7

"Does the inability of the committee to reach an agreement by the
deadline make you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, or not
worried about [see below]?"

Extremely
worried

Very
worried

Somewhat
worried

Not
worried

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

"The ability of the U.S.
Congress to solve the major problems facing the country"

11/21/11

19

32

34

12

3

"The prospects for meaningful
reductions in the U.S. federal budget deficit"

"As you may know, a special group of members of Congress that is
sometimes referred to as the 'supercommittee' is trying to develop a
proposal to significantly reduce the federal budget deficit. Please tell me
whether you think each of the following should or should not be included in
that deficit reduction proposal. . . ."
8/11: "As you may know, that bill created a bipartisan congressional committee
that is expected to produce a proposal to significantly reduce the federal
budget deficit. Please tell me whether you think each of the following
should or should not be included in that deficit reduction proposal. . . ."

"As you may know, the congressional 'super committee' is reaching its
deadline to produce a plan to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2
trillion over the next decade. If the committee fails to reach an agreement,
who do you think would be most to blame: Republicans in Congress, President
Obama, Democrats in Congress, or all parties equally?"

Republicans
in Congress

President
Obama

Democrats
in Congress

All parties
equally

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

11/17-20/11

19

10

8

54

8

"Some people say an agreement to reduce the deficit would help the
economy by increasing confidence among businesses and consumers. Others say
an agreement would hurt the economy by requiring tax increases and spending
cuts that would reduce consumer spending and business investment. In your
opinion, do you think an agreement to reduce the deficit would help the
economy, hurt the economy, or not have much effect either way?"

Help the
economy

Hurt the
economy

Not have
much effect

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

11/17-20/11

42

16

29

13

"Which one of the following possible outcomes of an agreement to reduce
the deficit concerns you most? It will cut too much from government programs
like Medicare and Social Security. It will raise taxes on people like you.
It will not meet its target for reducing the federal deficit and debt. It
will allow for too much federal spending in the next few years."
Options rotated

Cut too much
from Medicare,
Soc. Security

Raise taxes
on people
like you

Not meet
its target

Allow too
much federal
spending

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

11/17-20/11

38

23

17

12

10

"The super committee has considered many proposals for reducing the
deficit. As I read a list of ideas, please tell me if you think each one
should be part of the final package that Congress considers to reduce the
deficit, or not. First, how about [see below]? Do you think this
should be part of the package to reduce the deficit, or not?"

Should be
part

Should not
be part

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

"Reducing the value of
itemized deductions for families earning at least $250,000 a year"

"Placing strict limits on how
much Washington will spend on Medicaid and Medicare"

11/17-20/11

45

47

8

"Raising the eligibility age
for Medicare from 65 to 67"

11/17-20/11

35

62

3

"Freezing spending through the
year 2019 on non-defense domestic programs such as education, parks and
housing"

11/17-20/11

32

62

6

"As you may know, if the super committee does not meet its deficit
reduction target by the deadline, Congress has set rules requiring large
automatic cuts on defense and domestic programs. If the committee fails to
meet its target, do you think these automatic cuts should go into effect or
that Congress should take action to stop them?"

Automatic
cuts should
go into effect

Congress
should
stop them

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

11/17-20/11

26

61

13

"Would you like to see your representative in Congress vote in favor of a
deficit reduction plan only if it fully reflects your priorities for taxes
and spending, or even if it does NOT fully reflect your priorities but
that's the only way for Congress to reach agreement on a deficit reduction
plan?"

"The debt ceiling agreement reached by President Obama and Congress in
August created a new Congressional committee, sometimes referred to as the
'Super Committee,' to recommend a deficit-reduction proposal. This committee
must make its recommendations by late November. From what you know so far,
do you think the deficit-reduction proposal should include some increases in
tax revenue or should it include only cuts in government spending?"

Some tax
increases

Spending
cuts only

Unsure

%

%

%

11/14-20/11

39

49

11

10/25-31/11

39

48

13

"Do you think that the Super Committee and President Obama will be able
to agree on a plan to reduce the federal budget deficit or not?"

Will

Will not

Unsure

%

%

%

11/14-20/11

24

69

7

10/25-31/11

24

67

8

"Who do you think would be mostly to blame if the Committee and the
President are not able to agree on a plan to reduce the deficit: President
Obama and the Democrats in Congress, or the Republicans in Congress?"

"As you may know, a special group of members of Congress that is
sometimes referred to as the 'supercommittee' is trying to develop a plan to
significantly reduce the federal budget deficit. The deadline for their plan
is November 23rd. How likely is it is that the supercommittee will agree on
a deficit reduction plan by then: very likely, somewhat likely, somewhat
unlikely or very unlikely?"

Very
likely

Somewhat
likely

Somewhat
unlikely

Very
unlikely

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

11/11-13/11

3

18

36

42

1

"If the supercommittee does not agree on a deficit reduction plan, do you
think that the Democrats in Congress or the Republicans in Congress would be
more responsible for that?"

"As part of the debt ceiling agreement last summer a bipartisan
congressional committee called the Super Committee was created to propose a
way to significantly reduce the federal budget deficit. How confident are
you that the Congressional Republicans and the Congressional Democrats on
the Super Committee will be able to come to an agreement on how to reduce
the federal deficit: very confident, confident, not very confident or not
confident at all?"

Very
confident/
Confident

Not very
confident/
Not confident
at all

Unsure

%

%

%

11/8-10/11

13

85

2

"Please tell me whether you think each of the following should or should
not be included in the Super Committee's deficit reduction proposal. . . ."

Should

Should not

Unsure

%

%

%

"Increases in taxes on
higher-income Americans"

11/8-10/11

67

30

3

"Major cuts in defense
spending"

11/8-10/11

45

51

4

"Increases in taxes on
businesses"

11/8-10/11

35

59

6

"Major cuts in Social Security
and Medicare"

11/8-10/11

17

81

2

"If the Super Committee fails to come to an agreement on how to reduce
the federal deficit, who do you think is more to blame . . . ?"

Congressional
Republicans

Congressional
Democrats

Both

Neither

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

11/8-10/11

39

27

23

2

8

"Do you support or oppose a federal surcharge on income of 200 thousand
dollars or more for individuals and 250 thousand dollars or more for married
couples, referred to as the millionaire's tax?"

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

11/8-10/11

49

43

8

"How about a federal surcharge on income of one million dollars or more.
Do you support or oppose a federal surcharge on income of one million
dollars or more, referred to as the millionaire's tax?"

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

11/8-10/11

61

33

6

"A flat rate tax system applies one tax rate to all income. Under a flat
rate tax system, do you think each of the following would pay higher taxes,
lower taxes, or about the same amount of taxes as they pay now? . . . ."

Higher

Lower

Same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

"The wealthy"

11/8-10/11

36

38

21

5

"The middle class"

11/8-10/11

37

14

43

6

"The poor"

11/8-10/11

52

18

25

5

"Do you think people who are poor, and earn below a certain income,
should be required to pay taxes on what they earn or should they be exempt
from paying income taxes?"

"Now thinking about the U.S. Congress: Please tell me how important you
think it is for Congress to reach agreement on each of the following BEFORE
THE END OF THIS YEAR. First, how important is it that Congress agrees on
[see below]? Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important,
or not at all important for Congress to do this before the end of this
year?"

Very
important

Somewhat
important

Not too
important

Not at all
important

Unsure/
Refused

%

%

%

%

%

"New federal spending to try
to create jobs by rehabilitating public schools, improving roads and mass
transit, and preventing layoffs of teachers, police officers, and other
first responders"

11/3-6/11

68

16

7

6

2

"New legislation to reduce the
federal deficit through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases on
high-income families"

11/3-6/11

58

24

5

8

5

"New legislation to make it
easier for homeowners to refinance their mortgages at lower rates"

11/3-6/11

56

27

8

7

2

"New legislation to reduce the
federal deficit solely by cutting spending on federal programs, including
entitlements such as Medicare and Medicaid"

11/3-6/11

40

20

14

20

6

"New federal efforts to try to
create jobs by cutting the Social Security taxes paid by workers and
employers"

11/3-6/11

35

30

13

17

6

"As you may know, a Congressional 'super committee' is examining two
different plans to try to reduce the federal deficit by at least $1.2
trillion over the next 10 years. After I describe the two plans, please tell
me which ONE you prefer. One is a Democratic plan that calls for over $4
trillion in deficit reduction through a COMBINATION of federal spending cuts
and tax increases on wealthier Americans. The other is a Republican plan
that calls for $3 trillion in deficit reduction through spending cuts ALONE,
with no tax increases. Which do you prefer?"

"Would you prefer a graduated income tax system, in which people with
higher incomes pay a higher tax rate, or a flat tax system, in which
everyone pays the same tax rate regardless of income?"

Graduated
income tax

Flat tax
system

Both equal
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

11/2-5/11

56

40

1

3

3/96

54

39

1

6

1/96

54

41

1

4

"Do you think that your own taxes would be higher, lower, or about the
same under a flat tax system?"

Higher

Lower

About
the same

Depends
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

11/2-5/11

29

19

43

1

8

1/96

22

20

43

3

12

"Now, I'm going to read you two short descriptions of what some people
are thinking these days when it comes to government and the economy. Please
tell me if you strongly agree, mildly agree, feel neutral about, mildly
disagree, or strongly disagree with each set of ideas.

"The current economic
structure of the country is out of balance and favors a very small
proportion of the rich over the rest of the country. America needs to reduce
the power of major banks and corporations and demand greater accountability
and transparency. The government should not provide financial aid to
corporations and should not provide tax breaks to the rich."

%

Strongly agree

60

Mildly agree

16

Feel neutral

9

Mildly disagree

6

Strongly disagree

6

Mixed (vol.)

2

Unsure

1

"The national debt must be cut significantly by reducing spending and the
size of government, including eliminating some federal agencies and
programs. Regulations on business by the federal government should be
reduced and instead, the private sector and individuals should have greater
control. The government should not raise taxes on anyone."

%

Strongly agree

33

Mildly agree

20

Feel neutral

13

Mildly disagree

14

Strongly disagree

18

Mixed (vol.)

2

"Who is most to blame for current economic problems: Wall Street bankers,
George W. Bush, or Barack Obama?"
Options rotated

Wall Street
bankers

George
W. Bush

Barack
Obama

Unsure

%

%

%

%

11/2-5/11

36

34

21

9

"If the Republican candidate wins the presidency, would economic
conditions be helped, hurt, or would it not make much of a difference one
way or the other?"
Half sample (Form B)

"Which of the following statements comes closest to your point of view?
President Obama is making a good faith effort to deal with the country's
economic problems, but the Republicans in Congress are playing politics by
blocking his proposals and programs. OR, President Obama has not provided
leadership on the economy, and he is just blaming the Republicans in
Congress as an excuse for not doing his job."
Options rotated

GOP blocking
Obama's
proposals

Obama just
blaming
the GOP

Both (vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

10/31 - 11/3/11

50

44

2

2

1

"What do you think is more important right now: having the federal
government spend money to try to encourage job creation, even if that
increases the federal budget deficit, OR, having the federal government hold
down the federal budget deficit, even if it means not spending money to try
to encourage job creation?"
Options rotated

Encourage
job creation

Hold down
the deficit

Unsure

%

%

%

10/31 - 11/3/11

46

49

4

"I'd like to ask you about the distribution of wealth in this country --
that is, the gap between how much money wealthy people have compared with
how much money the rest of the population has. Do you think this gap is
larger than it's been historically, smaller, or about the same?"

"If you could choose one plan to collect all federal taxes, which would
you prefer: a national sales tax, a flat-rate income tax with no deductions,
a graduated income tax with no deductions, or the current graduated income
tax with deductions?"

National
sales tax

Flat-rate
income tax,
no deductions

Graduated
income tax,
no deductions

Current
income tax

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

10/23-25/11

12

35

13

26

14

1/11-12/05

17

29

12

25

17

"If you were in Congress, how would you have voted on President Obama's
recently proposed 450 billion dollar stimulus package aimed at creating
jobs? . . ."

For it

Against it

Unsure

%

%

%

ALL

48

44

7

Democrats

82

10

7

Republicans

15

80

4

Independents

37

51

12

"Which of the following best describes why the economy is not doing
better under Barack Obama's leadership? His ideas are good, but he hasn't
been able to get them implemented. His ideas are bad, and too many of them
are being implemented."
Options rotated

"Do you think Barack Obama does or does not have a clear plan for
creating jobs?"

Does

Does not

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

38

56

6

9/10-15/11

43

52

5

1/5-9/11

33

59

8

11/7-10/10

38

54

8

10/21-26/10

42

53

5

"Do you think the Republicans in Congress do or do not have a clear plan
for creating jobs?"

Do

Do not

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

20

71

9

9/10-15/11

24

67

9

1/5-9/11

28

61

11

"How confident are you that Congressional Republicans and Democrats will
be able to come to an agreement on job creation: very confident, somewhat
confident, not too confident or not at all confident?"
9/28 - 10/2/11 & earlier: "How confident are you that congressional Republicans and Democrats will
be able to come to an agreement on a job creation package: very confident,
somewhat confident, not too confident or not at all confident?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not too
confident

Not at all
confident

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

3

25

41

32

0

9/28 - 10/2/11

3

20

43

32

2

9/10-15/11

3

28

45

22

2

"In order to try to create jobs, do you think it is probably a good idea
or a bad idea to significantly cut payroll taxes for working Americans?"

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

51

37

12

9/10-15/11

56

30

14

"Do you think it is probably a good idea or a bad idea for the federal
government to provide money to state governments so they can avoid layoffs
of public employees?"
N=828 (Form A)

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

53

39

8

9/10-15/11

52

40

8

"Do you think it is probably a good idea or a bad idea for the federal
government to provide money to state governments so they can avoid layoffs
of workers such as teachers, police, and firefighters?"
N=822 (Form B)

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

65

29

6

"In order to try to create jobs, do you think it is probably a good idea
or a bad idea to spend money on the nation's infrastructure, such as
bridges, airports, and schools?"

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

80

15

5

9/10-15/11

80

16

4

"In order to try to create jobs, do you think it is probably a good idea
or a bad idea to significantly cut taxes for small businesses?"

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

78

18

4

9/10-15/11

81

14

5

"In order to try to create jobs, do you think it is probably a good idea
or a bad idea to repeal or reduce existing regulations on U.S. businesses?"

Good idea

Bad idea

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-24/11

50

31

19

"In order to try to create jobs, do you think it is probably a good idea
or a bad idea to lower taxes for large corporations?"

"Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the idea
to set the federal income tax rate at 9 percent, corporate taxes at 9
percent, and create a national sales tax, also of 9 percent?"

Favorable

Unfavorable

Unsure

%

%

%

10/19-23/11

36

56

7

"Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of a flat tax
system that removes most income tax deductions, and charges everyone the
same tax rate, instead of charging higher rates on higher incomes?"

"How confident are you that Barack Obama will be successful in bringing
about the changes needed to improve the economy: very confident, somewhat
confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not too
confident

Not at all
confident

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

10/13-17/11

14

29

20

36

1

11/6-10/08

31

41

15

11

2

"When it comes to solving the country's economic problems, how much do
you think Barack Obama is doing to cooperate with the Republicans in
Congress? Is he doing too much, not enough, or about the right amount?"

Too much

Not enough

About the
right amount

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/13-17/11

15

47

36

1

"When it comes to solving the country's economic problems, how much do
you think Republicans in Congress are doing to cooperate with Barack Obama?
Are they doing too much, not enough, or about the right amount?"

Too much

Not enough

About the
right amount

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/13-17/11

5

72

22

1

"People have suggested various ways that the government could act to try
to create jobs. How much do you think each of the following would do to
create jobs: a great deal, quite a bit, a moderate amount, only a little, or
nothing at all? . . ."

A great deal

Quite a bit

A moderate
amount

Only a little

Nothing
at all

%

%

%

%

%

"Increasing government
spending on roads, schools and other infrastructure projects"

10/13-17/11

23

13

30

21

12

"Reducing Social Security
payroll taxes for individual workers"

10/13-17/11

12

6

28

25

29

"Reducing Social Security
payroll taxes for employers"

10/13-17/11

9

8

31

27

24

"Providing tax credits to
companies that hire those who have been unemployed for six months or more"

10/13-17/11

24

12

30

20

13

"Reducing environmental and
other regulations on businesses"

10/13-17/11

16

11

27

22

22

"In order to pay for government efforts to promote job creation, would
you favor, oppose or neither favor nor oppose limiting income tax deductions
for individuals making more than $200,000 and families earning over $250,000
each year?"
N=488 (Form A)

Favor

Oppose

Neither

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/13-17/11

47

39

11

3

"In order to pay for government efforts to promote job creation, would
you favor, oppose or neither favor nor oppose a 5.6% tax surcharge on income
over $1 million?"
N=512 (Form B)

"President Obama and Senate Democrats have proposed a five percent surtax
on millionaires to pay for the cost of their jobs plan. In general, would
you support or oppose such a surtax on millionaires as a way to pay for
federal efforts to create jobs?"

"From what you know about President Barack Obama's jobs bill, do you
think the U.S. Congress should pass or should not pass the President's jobs
bill? If you do not know enough about this to have an opinion, please just
say so."

Should
pass

Should not
pass

Don't know
enough

Pass with
modifications
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

10/6-10/11

30

22

44

1

3

"Now I am going to tell you more about President Obama's proposed jobs
bill and please tell me whether you would favor or oppose it. The jobs bill
would cut the payroll tax rate, fund new road construction, continue to
extend unemployment benefits, and give tax credits to companies who hire and
train long-term unemployed workers. The plan would be paid for by increasing
taxes on the wealthy and increasing taxes on businesses by closing some
corporate tax loopholes. Do you favor or oppose this plan?"

Favor

Oppose

Depends
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/6-10/11

63

32

1

4

"Now, thinking about a proposal to raise taxes on the wealthy and on
corporations, which of the following statements comes closest to what you
think? This is a good idea because the wealthy and corporations should pay
their fair share and can afford to pay more to help pay for programs and
government operations. OR, This is a bad idea because higher taxes will end
up taking money from the wealthy and corporations that they could otherwise
invest to help grow the economy."
Options rotated

Good idea

Bad idea

Mixed (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/6-10/11

64

31

3

2

"Which of the following comes closer to your point of view? Would it be
that the President and the Congress should worry more now about boosting the
economy or reducing the federal deficit?"
Options rotated. Half sample (Form A).

Boosting
economy

Reducing
deficit

Both (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/6-10/11

61

32

5

2

"Which of the following comes closer to your point of view? Would it be
that the President and the Congress should worry more now about creating
jobs or reducing the federal deficit?"
Options rotated. Half sample (Form B).

"If a Republican were president right now, do you think the economy would
be better, worse, or about the same as it is now?"

Better

Worse

The same

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/6-9/11

23

25

45

7

"Thinking beyond the 2012 presidential election, do you think your own
family's financial situation would be better if President Obama wins a
second term OR if a Republican wins the election, or wouldn't it make much
difference either way?"

If Obama
wins

If Republican
wins

Not much
difference

Unsure

%

%

%

%

10/6-9/11

24

24

44

7

"Do you believe middle-class Americans will or will NOT have to make
financial sacrifices to decrease the federal budget deficit?"

Will

Will not

Unsure

%

%

%

10/6-9/11

81

11

8

"Please tell me if you would support or oppose each of the following to
help reduce the nation's budget deficit. . . ."

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

"Raising taxes on households
with incomes of 250 thousand dollars per year and higher"

10/6-9/11

68

27

5

"Reducing military spending"

10/6-9/11

51

42

7

"Raising taxes on the middle
class"

10/6-9/11

18

79

4

"Reducing Medicare benefits"

10/6-9/11

14

82

4

"Reducing Social Security
benefits"

10/6-9/11

13

83

4

"Thinking about the next couple of years, how likely do you think it is
that there will be another financial crisis similar to the one that caused a
near meltdown of the banking industry in the U.S. in 2008: very likely,
fairly likely, just somewhat likely, or not likely?"

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Republicans in Congress are
handling the economy?"

Approve

Disapprove

Unsure

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

20

76

4

7/14-17/11

28

67

5

4/14-17/11

34

62

3

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
middle class Americans: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated

Obama

Republicans
in Congress

Both
(vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

52

32

1

12

3

7/14-17/11

53

35

1

9

2

"Who do you think cares more about protecting the economic interests of
wealthy Americans: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"
Options rotated

Obama

Republicans
in Congress

Both
(vol.)

Neither
(vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

17

70

5

6

2

"A committee of Democrats and Republicans in Congress has until late
November to propose ways to cut the federal deficit by 1.2 trillion dollars
over the next 10 years. Do you think this should be done by cutting federal
spending, by increasing taxes, or by a combination of both?"
Options rotated

Cutting
spending

Increasing
taxes

Combination

Unsure

%

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

31

3

64

2

"How likely do you think it is that Democrats and Republicans in Congress
will agree on a deficit-reduction plan: very likely, somewhat likely,
somewhat unlikely, or very unlikely?"

Very
likely

Somewhat
likely

Somewhat
unlikely

Very
unlikely

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

3

22

37

37

1

"If a deficit-reduction plan is not agreed on, automatic cuts of 1.2
trillion dollars in federal spending will take effect in January 2013, half
from military programs and half from domestic programs. Would you support or
oppose these automatic cuts if there is no agreement?"

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

36

57

7

"Would you support or oppose changing federal tax law to make it harder
for businesses to reduce their taxes by taking tax deductions?"
Half sample

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

42

46

11

"Would you support or oppose changing federal tax law to make it harder
for individuals to reduce their taxes by taking tax deductions?"
Half sample

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

43

47

11

"Obama recently proposed a 450 billion dollar package aimed at creating
jobs. Given what you know about it, do you support or oppose the plan?"

Support

Oppose

Unsure

%

%

%

9/29 - 10/2/11

52

36

13

"Just your best guess: If Obama's jobs package passes Congress, do you
think it would improve the jobs situation in the country a great deal,
somewhat, not much or not at all?"

"Since he took office, has Barack Obama made real progress in fixing the
economy or hasn't he made real progress in fixing the economy?"

Has

Hasn't

Unsure

%

%

%

9/28 - 10/2/11

25

69

6

9/10-15/11

25

68

7

9/10-14/10

35

60

5

"Which would be a more effective way for the
government to get the economy moving again: cutting taxes to encourage
spending and investment, or spending more money to create new jobs?"

Cutting taxes

Spending

Both (vol.)

Neither (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/28 - 10/2/11

47

37

3

6

7

7/9-12/10

53

37

3

2

5

"If taxes are increased on households earning one million dollars a year
or more, do think this will help job creation in the U.S., hurt job creation
in the U.S., or won't it make much difference on job creation?"

"Is the condition of the national economy something a president can do a
lot about, or is that beyond any president's control?"

Can do a
lot about

Beyond any
president's
control

Unsure

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

41

53

6

7/9-12/10

48

45

7

7/31 - 8/5/08

67

26

7

"Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican Party or
the Democratic Party is more likely to create new jobs?"

Republican
Party

Democratic
Party

Both (vol.)

Neither (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

32

40

3

14

11

6/24-28/11

36

43

2

8

11

10/21-26/10

39

37

2

8

15

2/5-10/10

36

42

5

8

9

12/4-8/09

31

42

3

11

12

"In trying to solve the economic problems facing the country, do you
think Barack Obama has expanded the role of government too much, not enough,
or about the right amount?"

Too much

Not enough

About right

Unsure

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

37

23

32

8

"On Thursday night, Barack Obama proposed the American Jobs Act, which
includes extending the payroll tax cut, cutting taxes on small businesses,
extending unemployment benefits, creating new jobs to rebuild the nation's
infrastructure and providing aid to states to avoid layoffs of public
employees. How much have you heard or read about the President's proposals
to create jobs: a lot, some, not much or nothing at all?"

A lot

Some

Not much

Nothing at all

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

24

40

24

13

"How confident are you that Barack Obama's proposals will create jobs and
improve the economy: very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident,
or not at all confident?"

Very
confident

Somewhat
confident

Not very
confident

Not at all
confident

Unsure

%

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

12

36

23

24

5

"Which of these should be the higher priority for the nation right now:
cutting government spending or creating jobs?"

Cutting
spending

Creating
jobs

Both (vol.)

Unsure

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

29

56

14

1

3/18-21/11

26

63

11

-

"Do you think any plan to reduce the federal budget deficit should
include only tax increases, or only spending cuts, or a combination of both
tax increases and spending cuts?"

Only tax
increases

Only
spending cuts

Combination

Unsure

%

%

%

%

9/10-15/11

3

21

71

5

Republicans

1

39

57

3

Democrats

7

9

82

2

Independents

1

19

70

10

"In order to lower the nation's budget deficit, do you think taxes should
be increased on households earning $250,000 a year or more, or should the
government address the budget deficit without increasing taxes on those
households?"